South Bay

Dance Classes Where LA Kids Learn Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, or Ballroom

Submitted by Martha Hall on Thu, 08/15/2019 - 8:32pm

Want a dance class for your kid? You live in the right city. Whether you want your kid to learn to be just a little more coordinated, or you dream of the "World of Dance" competition track, Los Angeles has incredible recreational and professional training for your tiny dancer. Get your ballet shoes on and "chasse" through these dance studio options.

Find more great class ideas in our Los Angeles Classes and Enrichment Guide.

Free and Cheap After-school Classes and Programs for LA Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 08/09/2019 - 3:25pm

Back-to-school season is also back-to-after-school season, when families look for enriching and fun programs for their children. Options for arts, sports, and other recreational classes for kids in the LA area are numerous and varied—lucky us!—but many are tough to manage on a budget. The good news is there are also several free and cheap ways to engage students’ minds and bodies in the hours after school lets out.

40 Ways To Keep Summer Going in Los Angeles after School Begins

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 08/04/2019 - 11:11pm

Whether you're relieved by the quiet or disturbed by the abrupt ending, most LA families are using those three little words (back to school) a whole lot earlier these days. Of course, dropping our kids off at school doesn't change the weather; there might be no child left behind at the beach, but it's still summer until close to Halloween. So if your family is not yet ready for summer to end, pick a few items off our End of Summer Bucket List and go have some fun while the sun still shines!

Free in August: 28 Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Brian Steele on Sat, 07/27/2019 - 1:00am

End of summer is a time when the pocket book starts feeling light, so it is also a time to feel thankful we have lots of free things to do in Los Angeles. Whether you want to hit the beach, dance the day away, or catch a show, there's nothing to stop you, short of heatstroke. So why not gather up the fam and squeeze those last drops out of your summer fun, because if you do what we tell you to, you won't need to spend a dime.

Bowling Alleys with Free and Cheap Bowling for Kids All Over LA

Submitted by KristinB on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 2:22pm

News flash: bowling is a really great sport for kids! My son went to a bowling alley birthday party recently that sparked an obsession with the game and opened all of our eyes to what a great family sport this is. The ingrained turn-taking structure, team camaraderie, and relaxed competitiveness offer kiddos a dose of sportsmanship at a fun pace. Accommodations like gutter bumpers and starting ramps guarantee success for even the youngest bowlers. Seriously, bowling is like the unsung hero of children's athletics. And it must have been this idea that fueled the creation of Kids Bowl Free, a fantastic nationwide program designed to give youth a constructive way to beat the heat. Read on to find out how your kids can bowl free every day this summer.

Free (or Super Cheap) Archery Classes for LA & OC Kids Who Love Bows and Arrows

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 07/10/2019 - 6:07am

A fair number of kids who see Brave or The Hunger Games end up curious about archery, and a fair number of their parents end up scratching their heads and saying, "Where do we do that??" Gymnastics, swimming—that's easy. But where to bring a would-be archer to string a bow and shoot some arrows? Less obvious, perhaps, but not as hard as you might think. And the even better news? It's usually free!

12 Kid-friendly Beaches for Families in Los Angeles & Orange County

Submitted by Martha Hall on Thu, 07/04/2019 - 2:58pm

Beach is what SoCal is all about, but with so much sea and sand around it can actually be hard to choose which is the best spot to stake the family beach umbrella. In the years when sand-filled diapers and tired little legs feel challenging, you want to be sure you've chosen a beach that will pay off with those great summer memories. You could head for a beach with a playground (we know some good ones), but for just enjoying the wonderful Pacific Ocean with easy parking, bathrooms, snacks, or other amenities, we love to return to the dozen beaches below. Gather the shovels, sandwiches, and sunscreen, and go west, young families!

Free in July: 30+ Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles this Month

Submitted by Brian Steele on Sun, 06/30/2019 - 2:36pm

Summer break has a funny way of reminding you how many hours there really are in the day. Without school, kids can turn into restless little monsters, desperate for a little entertainment. If only you could keep the whole family busy for free! Well, it's actually not hard in Los Angeles, a city with a never ending supply of frugal fun. July isn't just for fireworks. We've got music! We've got movies! We've even got slime! Here is a healthy sample of the events happening this July that won’t cost you a thing.

16 Parent and Me Swim Classes for Water Babies and Toddlers in LA & the OC

Submitted by Martha Hall on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 8:22am

Kids dig water, and the younger we start them in it, the earlier they build the skills needed to swim confidently and safely. Mommy and Me – or Daddy and Me – classes are a fun and bonding introduction to a lifelong love of swimming. We know some great private swim classes for LA kids, but the group lessons below are all about getting in the pool alongside your baby or toddler. Dive into our extensive list of area Mommy or Daddy and Me classes.

4th of July Fireworks Cruises and Boat Rides for Families in LA and OC

Submitted by Martha Hall on Sun, 06/23/2019 - 3:46pm

We landlubbers love our fireworks, don't we? Well, if you think the view from the shore is stunning, try witnessing the pyrotechnics spectacle from a boat. That's a holiday memory your kiddos won't soon forget. Several small cruise boats and ships set sail this Independence Day, with 2-3 hour tours to delight you and your first mates. Snuggle on deck under a blanket and watch the sky come alive as the water sparkles below. Read on to find a boat leaving a port near you.